Kicking off the 20th World Pork Expo

Cindy Zimmerman

World Pork Expo 2008 Bryan BlackFirst order of business at World Pork Expo this morning was a press conference featuring National Pork Producers Council president Bryan Black from Ohio.

World Pork Expo 2008 Bryan BlackBryan discussed the 20th anniversary of the event, changes made this year to use badges instead of passes for attendees, the state of the US pork industry, exports and more.

Afterwards, Bryan visited with me in the Novus hospitality tent to do a condensed version interview of all the press conference topics. He says the expo gives pork producers and industry partners around the world one single meeting place to get the latest in technology and information. They have over 400 exhibitors this year and are expecting somewhere between 30-40,000 in attendance.

Here’s my interview with Bryan wpx08-black-1.mp3

World Pork Expo Photo Album

AgWired coverage of World Pork Expo is sponsored by:
Novus

Novus International, Pork, World Pork Expo

Smokin’ at WPX

Cindy Zimmerman

World Pork Expo 2008The smokers were already fired up at 7:00 this morning here at the World Pork Expo, getting ready to serve some excellent BBQ to expo goers throughout the day.

The show is underway and we have already got a Flickr photo album up and lots of audio to get posted. The media center is very busy with plenty of reporters filing reports.

Enjoy the photos here on Flickr.

AgWired coverage of World Pork Expo is sponsored by:
Novus

Livestock, Novus International, Pork, World Pork Expo

EPIC Annual Mtg. in Omaha

Chuck Zimmerman

Toni NuernbergThe Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Annual Meeting is underway here in Omaha, NE. Last night we had a major lightning storm. After living through one in Kansas City the night before I’m wondering if I’m a lightning rod. I’m heading to Nashville tomorrow and keeping my fingers crossed.

To kick things off here EPIC Executive Director, Toni Nuernberg, welcomed members and introduced keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Zubrin, author of Energy Victory. His presentation is fascinating. I’ve got his book and now I’m planning to read it as soon as I can. You can hear an interview Cindy did with him on Domestic Fuel here.

This is the first large scale annual meeting of EPIC and well over 100 members are in attendance. The meeting allows them to hear first hand from staff and vendors about all the projects underway to help promote ethanol and educate the general public. Yesterday I conducted multiple presentations for members on the use of new media like blogs and podcasts.

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FMC Supports “Be a Hero, Support a Hero”

Melissa Sandfort

Crop producers in a variety of markets will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of U.S. servicemen and women stationed overseas, with the “Be A Hero, Support A Hero” program from FMC Corporation.

Throughout 2008, FMC will continue its support of the United Service Organization’s (USO) Operation Care Package initiative as part of the company’s ongoing “Be A Hero, Support A Hero” promotion. A $5 donation will be made for each individual who completes the “State of the Industry” survey at various tradeshows and grower events throughout 2008. Individuals can complete the survey by clicking through a few short questions focused on production trends, market shifts, etc.

FMC will make its second donation on behalf of the 194 participants who completed the “State of the Industry” survey at the National Farm Machinery Show, February 13 – 16, in Louisville, Ky. FMC will donate $970 to Operation USO Care Package to send 39 care packages overseas.

More than one million care packages have been distributed to service personnel stationed overseas since the inception of Operation USO Care Package in 2001. Today, the USO distributes nearly 25,000 packages per month to troops around the world.

Last year, FMC donated more than $4,200 to Operation Care Package through the “Be A Hero, Support A Hero” program, resulting in 168 care packages. This year, after two tradeshows, FMC has donated $2,055 and 82 care packages, which is nearly half of its total donation in 2007.

Agribusiness

A Float’s Eye View of the 2008 CMA Music Festival

Laura McNamara

Fans waved and hollered, calling out “Michael!” as the New Holland/Michael Peterson float rolled past during the 2008 CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade. Some fans even blew kisses to the country music singer/songwriter. Others boldly cried out their admiration for the inspirational speaker. Michael and local FFA students tossed t-shirts and waved back to an eager and excited crowd. At one point, Michael even took a phone call from a random construction worker’s phone. I believe it was Michael’s drummer on the line. I’ll have to double check that with Michael though…

I took a couple videos from float, offering a “float’s eye view” of the parade.

You can watch the videos here:


2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Ag Groups, New Holland, Podcasts, Tractor, Video

FFA Students Ride New Holland Float at CMA Music Festival Parade

Laura McNamara

A handful of FFA students offered country music singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker Michael Peterson today. Michael spent the day setting up for his exhibit at the Nashville Convention Center in preparation for the 2008 CMA Country Music Festival. The FFA students pitched in on the behind the scenes prep. Of course, their help came with quite the perk. The FFA boys got to join Michael on the New Holland float during the CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade.

I did a quick video with the boys before the float took off. You can watch the video here:


2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Ag Groups, New Holland, Video

Behind the Scenes Before the Big Show

Laura McNamara

Local FFA members help Michael Peterson set up his exhibit in the Nashville Convention Center.…or festival rather. The New Holland crew joined Michael Peterson and members of the local FFA chapter in setting up for a week of excitement at the 2008 CMA Country Music Festival. Concerts, autograph sessions, exhibitions and of course the New Holland/Michael Peterson celebrity tractor race will all be a part of this weekend’s festivities.

I interviewed Michael about the legwork that’s goes into preparing for major events like Nashville’s country music celebration. You can listen to my interview with Michael here:
cma-08-peterson-1.mp3

I’ll have posts from today’s CMA Country Music Festival Kick-Off Parade online soon.


2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:
New Holland

Ag Groups, New Holland, Tractor

Heading off to the Big Pig Show

Cindy Zimmerman

World Pork Expo 2008I am heading down the road today to attend the 20th World Pork Expo in Des Moines, with coverage sponsored by Novus International and their line of pork products and programs.

I have to admit being a “newbie” – even though I worked for Brownfield Network a number of years, I never attended WPX – so this will be my first. (Note to Cindy Cunningham: be gentle with me!)

This year is the National Pork Producers Council event’s 20th anniversary of serving as the world’s largest trade show for the pork industry. 30,000 visitors are expected this year and the trade show will feature more than 1,000 booths displayed by some 450 different companies.

The event I am most looking forward to is the pork checkoff-sponsored Great BarbeQlossal on Saturday. World Pork Expo Junior National Show will be held through Friday and the National Swine Registry 2008 World Pork Expo Breed Show and Sale is Friday and Saturday.

All this and more at the Big Pig Show! Stay tuned.

AgWired coverage of World Pork Expo is sponsored by:
Novus

Livestock, Novus International, Pork, Swine, World Pork Expo

New Milk Board Appointee

Melissa Sandfort

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of a new member to the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.

Newly appointed to fill a vacancy lasting less than 18 months is Jay S. Bryant, Reston, Va. (Region 6). The term for this appointee expires June 30, 2009. This new member will be seated at the board meeting July 17-19, 2008.

The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board is composed of 15 fluid milk processors from 15 geographic regions and five at-large members. At least three at-large members must be fluid milk processors and at least one must be from the general public.

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Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner will open the 13th season of USDA’s Farmers Market June 6 at 10 a.m. The opening ceremony will have live entertainment, raffle prizes and an information booth where customers can obtain free material on related USDA programs. The market is open to the public and will operate every Friday, June 6 through Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at USDA Headquarters on 12th St. and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC.
  • Corn growers can achieve outstanding postemergence broadleaf weed and grass control that lasts up to canopy, with new Bayer CropScience Laudis™ herbicide. With its new, proprietary safener technology, Laudis is designed to optimize herbicide performance while minimizing crop response.
  • New research reveals how strip tilling, in combination with precision liquid fertilizer placement, can increase efficiencies and profitability, according to tillage trials conducted at Orthman Research Farm in Lexington, Neb. Click here for more information about the Agri-Inject micro-tube system and strip tilling with an Orthman Manufacturing 1tRIPr preplant tillage tool.
  • Curry Seed Company and Pioneer Hi-Bred have reached an agreement regarding the purchase of the “Curry Seed” brand name. This transaction will greatly expand Curry Seed corn trait offerings. In addition, Curry Seed will be introducing the first complete soybean lineup in its 73-year history.
  • Asoyia was named Eastern Iowa’s “Fastest Growing Company” by the Entrepreneurial Development Center and the Corridor Business Journal. Asoyia was formed in 2004 by 25 Iowa farmers and today has 10 full-time employees.
    Zimfo Bytes